It's being pegged as a modern day, all-American showdown between the notions of good and evil, and it went down on prime-time TV, of course: The exclusive interviews with
Gabrielle Giffords and
Jerry Sandusky went head to head last night on ABC and NBC, respectively.

The former Penn State coach used his slot on NBC News Rock Center to deny allegations that he is a pedophile. This after wide receivers coach Mike McQueary told a grand jury he'd seen Mr. Sandusky sodomizing a boy of about 10 years old in a shower.

In this undated photo provided by ABC, U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, center, and husband Mark Kelly are interviewed by Diane Sawyer, right, on ABC's 20/20. The show featuring the first public interview Giffords has given since she was shot in the head in Tucson last winter will air Monday, Nov. 14, 2011.
ABC, Ida Mae Astute/AP

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Scandal

"I have horsed around with kids,"
Mr. Sandusky told Bob Costas last night. "I have showered after workouts. I have hugged them, and I have touched their legs without intent of sexual contact.”

Mr. Sandusky is charged with sexually abusing eight boys over a 15-year span. The New York Times reports 10 more victims have come forward since the former coach's arrest a week ago.

Over at ABC,
Ms. Giffords spoke of her recovery; she now walks with a limp and speaks in halting phrases. With her husband, former astronaut Mark Kelly, sitting close by her, the Arizona Democrat told Diane Sawyer she won't return to work until she gets "better."